and avoid going over the fiscal cliff. that is crucial work, mr. president, but striking the right balance between protecting our country and protecting our individual liberties is also important work, and for that reason, i wanted to walk through the history of the fisa amendments act this morning, describe why it was so important particularly for us to get even an accounting -- remember, mr. president, this doesn't disrupt any operations in the intelligence community. this is just an accounting of how many law-abiding americans have had their communications swept up under this law. that work is crucial, too. and for that reason, mr. president, i hope that on a bipartisan basis the amendments will be viewed favorably by the senate when we begin voting, and, mr. president, thank you for your indulgence for being part of this discussion, presiding in the chair, with special thanks to the distinguished majority leader, who gave me the opportunity to open this discussion about fisa this morning. with that, mr. president, i yield the floor. mrs. feinst